Over the weekend, I Googled a DIY approach to ridding my coveted white shirts of those yucky yellow sweat stains. It only took me a few seconds, and I found what I was looking for here. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will whenever I need to wear one of those shirts sans blazer.
There seems to be a DIY recipe for so many of life’s annoyances, but it’s really just a reactive approach. Why not just get to the core of the problem and be proactive — like training your puppy to signal you when he needs to go potty rather than cleaning every yucky mess he makes while turning your living room into a puppy port-a-potty.
How often do we take the time to reflect on our lives and resolve to do better? Many make resolutions at the beginning of the year, but those resolutions are typically short-sighted and end just as quickly as they were conceived in most cases. We want to lose weight, stop smoking, eat better, stop drinking, or join a gym, but those are all logical reactions to problems that are better treated when you are fully ready to commit right now with a clear vision for what you want to see in six months and how you plan to get there.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. ~Proverbs 29:18
Imagine your life 10 years from now. What do you see? I see a 58 year old author of a couple of books who travels the world coaching people who are struggling to envision God’s abundant life for them. I no longer see myself tethered to a county or state; I see God’s plan for me through fresh eyes and an expectant heart. What do you see?
Tell him your dreams, and expect him to show up. Listen for his voice today in the whistle of the wind, in the fragrances of spring wafting through the air, in the lyrics of a song, and in the rhythm of your beating heart. He wants to connect with you if you would just listen for his voice. Are you afraid? Do you feel as if you’ve done too much to be forgiven? I’m here to tell you that nothing changes if nothing changes. Those stains caused by sin can be lifted up and washed clean. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. Why on Earth are you holding onto those stains? They’re just reminders of what you’ve done wrong. Don’t you want to be clean?
Take the first step, and call to mind those sins — even the ones you’ve buried deep in your heart. Ask God to forgive you. Then start your new life with him right now. Forget about what others might say about your past. Your relationship is with God — not those naysayers. It is precious, so savor it. Revel in it. Vow each day to draw closer to him through prayer, worship, scripture, and service. Watch him restore you piece by piece.
Before you leave today, please turn up the volume and praise God for his sacrifice. I hope you enjoy my Music Monday selection by Natalie Grant entitled “Clean.” May blessings abound! <3
Beautiful blog Michelle, as usual your words are so encouraging and uplifting to me. I’m still a work in progress and don’t always do things as I should but I’m still trying and I know that with God’s help I can make it. Please keep me in prayer. Thanks again.
Love you much.
That was a brilliant and unusual piece. i loved the way you started with sweating stains and ended with real cleansing of God. That’s something that is easy to remember and vital to a full Christian life.
Thanks so much, Anne. I’m just a conduit of the Spirit. I wish I could claim those words as mine. 😀 I’m just grateful that God sees fit to use me.
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.